Lemon Chicken Recipe
Make Lemon Chicken Recipe in just 35m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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For the chicken
For the lemon sauce
Method
For the chicken
- 1
Prepare and pound
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If breasts are thick, slice horizontally or place between two pieces of plastic wrap and gently pound with a meat mallet to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch so they cook evenly.
- 2
Season and dredge
In a shallow bowl mix kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Place the flour in a separate shallow plate. Season both sides of each chicken breast with the salt mixture, then dredge lightly in flour, shaking off excess.
- 3
Sear the chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tbs olive oil. When shimmering, add 1 tbs butter. Add the chicken breasts (work in batches if necessary so they don't crowd). Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer reads 150°F (65°C). Transfer the chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil. Reserve skillet and any browned bits.
For the lemon sauce
- 4
- 5
Deglaze
Add the white wine (or 1 tbs extra chicken stock) to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon. Let it reduce for 1 minute.
- 6
Add liquids and herbs
Pour in the chicken stock and fresh lemon juice, then stir in lemon zest, honey, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it reduce for 3-4 minutes to concentrate flavors.
- 7
Thicken sauce
In a small bowl whisk the cornstarch with the cold water to make a slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce and cook 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- 8
Finish with butter and return chicken
Turn off the heat and swirl in the remaining 1 tbs butter to give the sauce a glossy finish. Return the seared chicken breasts and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the chicken and warm for 1-2 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and is heated through.
- 9
